A lot of people expect the Tampa Bay Rays to trade ace LHP David Price during the offseason.

One of those people is David Price.

David Price won the 2012 AL Cy Young. (AP Photo)

"If you go with what's been done in the past, I guess you're going to have to think you're going to get traded," Price told the Tampa Bay Times. "That's kind of the way it's happened with this organization when pitchers kind of get to this period in their career. We've seen it happen a couple of times already. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know what's happened in the past."

In past offseasons, the small-market Rays have dealt pitchers Matt Garza and James Shields before they reached free agency. Price still has two seasons left before he can become a free agent, so the idea is the Rays would trade the 2012 AL Cy Young winner now to get maximum return.

If Price does go on the market, the Cubs, Dodgers, Indians, Nationals and Rangers are among the teams expected to be interested.

Price said he doesn't know if a long-term deal with the Rays is possible or if he'd be willing to give the club a "hometown" discount. "We'd just have to see what that is."

Price, 28, was 10-8 with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.098 WHIP in 2013.

"This is definitely a place I love to be. My teammates and everybody in the organization knows that. But it's just part of baseball. It's something I've seen it go on, so it's kind of something I've somewhat prepared myself for."